Portfolio Opens ‘In Toon With Tweens’ Contest

Portfolio Entertainment has launched a new animation contest called ‘In Toon With Tweens,’ offering top prizes totaling $10,000 in Canadian currency as part of an option and development deal.

The contest is open to anyone in the global animation community and is intended to seek original comedy concepts for television or multiplatform.

The call for submissions is open as of Feb. 8 and continues through June 15. Winners will be announced on Sept. 15.

The challenge is to find original comedy submissions that are fresh, surprising and utterly new for kids 8 to 12 years old. A first prize of $7,500 CDN will be awarded as part of a two-year Option and Development Agreement and a second prize of $2,500 CDN as part of a one-year Option and Development Agreement will go to the runner up.

‘Our approach at Portfolio is to break the mold with each new project we develop,’ said Lisa Olfman, co-founder and president of the company. ‘What better way to nurture emerging talent and encourage established talent to be fearless, than by throwing open our doors with this animation initiative.’

Through ‘In Toon With Tweens,’ the top 15 finalists, as selected by Portfolio Entertainment, will also gain unprecedented exposure to industry decision-makers in kids’ television and new media. The distinguished panel of judges will be comprised of Portfolio Entertainment executives, broadcasters and prominent industry veterans who will be announced in the coming weeks.

Eligibility requirements include some professional industry experience. Complete guidelines and instructions for submission can be found online at www.portfolioentertainment.com/contest.